LAW 2802 - Commercial Leasing

An introduction to the commercial lease negotiation process, this course concentrates on the basic issues underlying commercial leases. We dissect leases clause by clause and learn how compromise clauses emerge from the competing interests of landlords and tenants. The economic forces, industry traditions and court decisions that underlie the needs of landlords and tenants are explored. Negotiating and drafting techniques are emphasized. The principal issues are: 1) what clauses ought to be in a lease and 2) how to draft the clauses clearly and understandably. Types of leases are distinguished from each other to demonstrate how clauses that fit well in one kind of lease are senseless in another.